Lionel Messi has told Barcelona that he will “unilaterally” terminate his contract with the Spanish giants on Wednesday, according to several reports.
The Argentine star’s lawyers sent Barca a fax announcing Messi’s desire to terminate his contract by triggering a release clause.
If Messi leaves, seeing former Barca coach Pep Guardiola again in Manchester City is seen as his most likely move.
However, the club retains the clause that expired in June and remains under contract until the end of the 2021 season.
“In principle this clause expired on June 10th, but the unusual nature of this season, disrupted by the coronavirus, gave Messi the opportunity to request the release of his contract,” wrote the Spanish sports newspaper Marca.
“It is the first step in starting negotiations on his departure, based on which his release clause is $ 1.15 billion (AUD).”
According to Spanish media, Messi met with new Barca coach Ronald Koeman last week and told the Dutchman he saw himself “more outside than inside” at the club.
“The end of the glorious era of Leo Messi in Barcelona seems to be near. After the arrival of Ronald Koeman, who looks like his friend Luis Suarez’s exit and a difficult and tumultuous end to the season, Messi faxed Barcelona his intention to leave the club, “said radio station Once.
Barcelona suffered a humiliating 8-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in Lisbon earlier this month, leading to the sacking of coach Quique Setien after just under six months.
Former Barcelona defender Carles Puyol responded to the message with a tweet: “Respect and admiration, Leo. All my support, friend. “
– AFP
.
